greener

greener pastures

A place or thing that is an improvement on one's current situation. I liked my job here, but it just didn't pay enough, so I had to go to greener pastures. Why do you think so many people in the department have left for greener pastures? I've loved living in London, but it's time to seek greener pastures.

See also: greener, pasture

leave for greener pastures

To leave behind some place or situation in pursuit of something better, especially a new job or place to live. I liked my job there, but it just didn't pay enough, so I decided to leave for greener pastures. Why do you think so many people in the department have left for greener pastures?

See also: for, greener, leave, pasture

seek greener pastures

To pursue an improvement on one's current situation, especially a new job or place to live. I liked my job there, but it just didn't pay enough, so I left to seek greener pastures elsewhere. I've loved living in London, but it's time to seek greener pastures.

See also: greener, pasture, seek

the grass is always greener (on the other side)

proverb Other people's circumstances or belongings always seem more desirable than one's own. A: "It just seems like they have this perfect life, always traveling and spending time together." B: "Hey, the grass is always greener. I'm sure they have their own problems that no one else can see." The grass is always greener on the other side—the sooner you realize that and stop comparing your life to others', the happier you'll be!

See also: always, grass, greener, other

the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence

Other people's circumstances or belongings always seem more desirable than one's own. Often shortened to "the grass is always greener on the other side" or even just "the grass is always greener." A: "It just seems like they have this perfect life, always traveling and spending time together." B: "Hey, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. I'm sure they have their own problems that no one else can see." The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. The sooner you realize that—and stop comparing your life to others'—the happier you'll be!

See also: always, fence, grass, greener, of, on, other, side

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

The grass is always greener on the other side (of the fence).

Prov. People always think they would be happier in a different set of circumstances. (Usually implies that the other circumstances really are not any better.) Jill: My job is so tedious. I wish I had my own business, like Beatrice does. Jane: Beatrice probably wishes she had the security of her old job. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

See also: always, grass, greener, on, other, side

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

grass is always greener on the other side, the

A different situation always seems better than one's own. For example, Bob always thinks the grass is greener elsewhere, which accounts for his constant job changes . This expression, an ancient proverb cited by Erasmus in the 15th century, is so well known that it is often shortened.

See also: always, grass, greener, on, other

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

the grass is always greener

or

the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence

If you say the grass is always greener or the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, you mean that other people often seem to be in a better situation than you, but in reality their situation may not be as good as it seems. You know what it's like — the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. I'm always looking at jobs advertised online and thinking I'd be better off somewhere else. Note: Grass and greener are often used in other expressions with a similar meaning. A lot of players who have left in the past have found that the grass isn't always greener elsewhere. I cannot have my staff believing that the grass is always greener in another company.

See also: always, grass, greener

greener pastures

People talk about greener pastures to mean a better life or situation than the one they are in now. A lot of nurses seek greener pastures overseas. They moved around for years, sometimes even leaving the state for what they thought would be greener pastures.

See also: greener, pasture

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

the grass is always greener

other people's lives or situations always seem better than your own.

This is a shortened form of the proverb ‘the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence’, usually used as a caution against dissatisfaction with your own lot in life. There are a number of sayings about the attractions of something distant or inaccessible, for example blue are the faraway hills .

See also: always, grass, greener

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

the ˌgrass is (always) ˈgreener on the other ˈside (of the ˈfence)

(saying) things always seem better in another place, job, etc: She says she would be able to do business better in France, but the grass is always greener on the other side!

See also: grass, greener, on, other, side

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

grass is always greener (on the other side of the fence), the

What one doesn’t have always looks more appealing than what one has. A proverb first cited in Erasmus’s Adagia (1545), this maxim remains true and the phrase remains current.

See also: always, grass, greener, of, other, side

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer